Method and system for delivering behavior modification information over a network

ABSTRACT

This invention features a method for delivering information over a network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification; d) presenting the tailored information to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved. The user is continually provided with re-tailored information resulting from an iterative process of obtaining and evaluating data that progresses the user towards a desired behavior modification. The desired behavior modification can be, for example, the cessation of smoking.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/368,769, filed Mar. 29, 2002.

[0002] This invention was made at least in part with funds from the U.S.National Cancer Institute. The U.S. Government may have certain rightsin the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a method and system for deliveringinformation over a network, and more specifically, a method and systemfor delivering information about behavior modification over a computernetwork to a plurality of users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A major challenge to treating many chronic conditions ismodifying established behavior and encouraging compliance with treatmentregimens. For example, most people who smoke want to quit but find itvery difficult because, in part, the nicotine in tobacco is highlyaddictive and also because well-established patterns of behavior aredifficult to change. This is of great concern because smoking is a majorcause of premature death and morbidity in the world. Thus, anintervention that helps large numbers of people quit smoking atreasonable cost and convenience is a major contribution to publichealth.

[0005] Traditional smoking cessation and/or behavior modificationprograms, which can include written self help materials, personal and/orgroup counseling and telephone based counseling, typically presentstatic information that is not tailored for specific people and whichdoes not change as a person's circumstances and conditions change duringa quit attempt. Clearly, a 40 year old blue collar man who has beensmoking for twenty years requires a different behavior modificationprogram than a 20 year old white collar woman who has only been smokingfor one year. Static programs can also be disadvantageous because aperson may suffer setbacks during a quit attempt. Moreover, a person maynot be actively engaged with a behavior modification program and mayrequire encouragement and support from the system and/or other users ofthe system to progress towards a desired behavior modification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide aninformation delivery system that obtains user supplied data and alsoobserved user data.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide such aninformation delivery system that provides tailored information to a userbased upon the obtained user supplied data and observed user data.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide such aninformation delivery system that repeatedly provides tailoredinformation to a user based upon the obtained user supplied data andobserved user data until a desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0009] The invention results from the realization that a more effectivemethod for delivering information on a network can be effected byobtaining both user supplied data and observed user data to generate andprovide, to a user over the network, tailored information thatprogresses the user towards a desired behavior modification. The methodcan be repeated until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0010] This invention features a method for delivering information overa network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a user onthe network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behaviormodification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desiredbehavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data and the usersupplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a usertowards the desired behavior modification; d) presenting the tailoredinformation to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b),c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the method may include furtherincluding evaluating to determine if additional data is required fromthe user in order for the user to achieve the desired behaviormodification. The method may include obtaining the additional data fromthe user. The user action may be selected from the group consisting of:an interaction with a online questionnaire, an interaction with a moduleto assist the user in the cessation of smoking, an interaction with amodule to assist the user in selecting a date for the cessation ofsmoking, interacting with a module to provide the user with the abilityto manage personal information, an interaction with a calendar module toprovide the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate tothe quit date and the desired behavior modification, an interaction witha journal module that allows the user to record information related tothe desired behavior modification, an interaction with a MedicationsModule, an interaction with a module relating to frequently askedquestions, and an interaction with an online support community. TheMedications Module may suggest a medication profile to the user basedupon the user observed data and the user supplied data. The user actionmay includes an interaction with an online support community that isselected from the group consisting of: a discussion forum relating todiscussion of specific issues associated with the desired behaviormodification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication withcommunity members via on-line chat, a buddy feature that tracks whetherother known users are on-line at the same time as the user, a list ofusers who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behaviormodification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and fromothers users on the system. The desired behavior modification may beselected from the group consisting of: a cessation of smoking, acessation of chewing tobacco and a cessation of chewing snuff. The usersupplied data may be selected from the group consisting of: a quit date,an age, a sex, a zip code, a type of dependency, a quantity of dependentsubstance used, and questionnaire answers. The user observed data mayinclude how often the user has interacted with specific features. Themethod may include providing a link to the user to enable the user tointeract with a counselor over a network. The method may includeproviding the observed user data and the user supplied data over thenetwork to the counselor such that the counselor can provide tailoredinformation and suggestions to the user based upon the observed userdata and the user supplied data.

[0012] The invention also features a method for delivering smokingcessation information over a network, the method including: a)monitoring a first action of a user on the network to obtain observeduser data relating to the cessation of smoking; b) monitoring a secondaction of the user on the network to obtain user supplied data relatingto the cessation of smoking; c) evaluating the observed user data andthe user supplied data to generate tailored information and providesuggestions for an event, the tailored information and suggestions forprogressing a user towards the cessation of smoking; d) presenting thetailored information and suggestions to the user over the network; ande) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) to provide updated tailoredinformation until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0013] The invention also features a system for delivering healthcarecontent to a user over a network, the system including: a monitoringengine for monitoring an event of a user on the network to obtainobserved user data relating to a desired behavior modification, andobtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behaviormodification; an evaluation engine response to the monitoring engine,the evaluation engine evaluating the observed user data, and the usersupplied data to generate tailored information which progresses the usertowards the desired behavior modification.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the system may include a MedicationsModule for suggesting a medication profile for the user. The system mayinclude a Quit Date Module for assisting the user in selecting a quitdate for the desired behavior modification program. The system mayinclude a module for assisting the user in the cessation of smoking. Thesystem may include a Profile Module for providing the user with theability to manage personal information. The system may include aCalendar Module for providing the user with the ability to set dates andgoals which relate to the quit date and the desired behaviormodification. The system may include a Journal Module for the user torecord information as they progress toward the desired behaviormodification. The system may include an On-Line Support CommunityModule. The On-Line Support Community Module may be selected from thegroup consisting of: a forum relating to discussion of specific issuesassociated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiatedforum, interactive communication with community members via on-linechat; a buddy feature for tracking whether other known users are on-lineat the same time as the user; a list of users who are celebrating amilestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sendingand receiving messages to and from other users on the system.

[0015] This invention also features an article of manufacture,including: a computer readable medium having computer readable programcode for delivering information over a network, the computer readableprogram code including instructions for causing the computer system to:a) monitor a first action of a user on the network to obtain observeduser data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtain usersupplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluatethe observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailoredinformation for progressing a user towards the desired behaviormodification; d) present the tailored information to the user over thenetwork; and e) repeat steps a), b), c) and d) until the desiredbehavior modification is achieved.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the article of manufacture, thecomputer readable program code may include instructions for causing thecomputer system to determine if additional data is required from theuser in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification.The user observed data may include how often the user has interactedwith specific features. The desired behavior modification may beselected from the group consisting of: a cessation of smoking, acessation of chewing tobacco and a cessation of chewing snuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to thoseskilled in the art from the following description of a preferredembodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of the informationdelivery service according to the subject invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the server of FIG. 1 in greaterdetail;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one method for delivering informationthat can be used with the server of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 is the flowchart of FIG. 3 in greater detail showing themonitoring engine, evaluation engine, and presentation engine;

[0022]FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of an exemplary behavior modificationprogram that can be used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a Quitting Guide Module that is usedwith the system of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a Quit Tips Module that is used with thesystem of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a My Quit Module used with the system ofFIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a My Next Steps Module that is used withthe system of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a flowchart for a Medications Module that is used withthe system of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 11 is another flowchart of the Medications Module of FIG. 10;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a web page structure that isused with the system of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 13 is a software interface that is used with the server ofFIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 14 is another software interface that is used with the serverof FIG. 1; and

[0032]FIG. 15 is a diagram of an e-mail sent to a user from the serverof FIG. 1.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosedbelow, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangements of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings.

[0034] There is shown in FIG. 1 an information delivery system 10 whichincludes a server 12, one or more user terminals 14, and computernetworks 16 and 16′. User terminals 14 can include one or more remote orlocal terminals 14′, 14″, and 14′″, . . . , each of which can be anyapparatus that can connect to server 12 through network 16 or 16′, suchas a computer, computer terminal, cell phone, personal digital assistant(PDA), tablet PC, mobile phone, a programmable user interface, or anyapparatus with a web browser. Networks 16 and 16′ can include any typeof computer network such as a local area network, a wide area network orthe Internet. Server 12 includes at least one database that storesinformation for distribution through or use on server 12.

[0035] In operation, a user 14′ can connect to server 12 through network16 over line 19′ to obtain or provide information, which can relate to adesired behavior modification. Also, user 14′ can connect to server 12and communicate with another user 14″ to exchange information that willlead towards a desired behavior modification.

[0036] Server 12, FIG. 2, preferably includes a monitoring engine 20,evaluation engine 22, and presentation engine 24. Monitoring engine 20monitors an action of one of the users 14′, FIG. 1, over network 16 toobtain information that monitoring engine 20 observes about the user.Specifically, monitoring engine 20 observes the actions of one of theusers on the network to obtain observed user data that relates to thedesired behavior modification. In addition, monitoring engine 20 alsomonitors the actions of the user on the network to obtain user supplieddata relating to the desired behavior modification. To obtain the usersupplied data, monitoring engine 20 may merely accept the data that theuser supplies to server 12 over network 16. Evaluation engine 22 obtainsfrom monitoring engine 20 the observed user data and the user supplieddata to generate information tailored to a specific user. For example,evaluation engine 22 can provide a suggestion for a user to try anotherprogram or event on server 12.

[0037] Additionally, evaluation engine 22 can provide tailoredinformation to the user that will progress the user a towards desiredbehavior modification, such as providing an appropriate level ofinformation to the user. Presentation engine 24 takes the informationproduced by evaluation engine 22 and presents the tailored informationand any suggestions to the user over network 16. Server 12 caniteratively repeat the actions of monitoring engine 20, evaluationengine 22, and presentation engine 24 until the desired behaviormodification is achieved.

[0038] The flowchart of FIG. 3, which depicts the primary stepsassociated with delivering information over a network, begins at 30 withpresenting information about a behavior modification over a network.This presentation of information can invite the user to register with aservice associated with server 12 and begin using the service. At step32, the server registers the user and obtains basic registrationinformation to identify at the user's current stage of behaviormodification. Based upon the user supplied data obtained in step 32, theserver uniquely displays tailored information and/or suggestions to theuser that will progress the user towards the desired behaviormodification. In step 35, the server presents the tailored informationgenerated in step 34 to the user over the network. In step 36, theserver collects user supplied data provided by the user through specificsoftware modules. These software modules can provide informativefeedback to the user and assist the user in progressing towards the nextstage of behavior modification. In step 34, the server takes the usersupplied data obtained in step 36 to regenerate the tailored informationand suggested features appropriate to move the user to the next stage ofbehavior modification. In step 35, the regenerated tailored informationis presented to the user. In this manner, the user is continuallyprovided with re-tailored information resulting from an iterativeprocess of obtaining and evaluating data that progresses the usertowards a desired behavior modification.

[0039] In step 38, the server observes the user's action over thenetwork and collects the observed user data. For example, the server canobserve the user's utilization of program features and interaction withinformational resources on the server. At 34, the server regenerates thetailored information and/or the suggested features and in step 35presents the regenerated tailored information to the user. Steps 36 and38 can be individually repeated in conjunction with step 34 as much asnecessary, or as much as desired, to generate up-to-date tailoredinformation based upon the user's current stage of behaviormodification. Likewise, steps 34, 36 and 38 can occur in any order. Thestep of presenting the tailored information to the user in step 35 canbe done as often as desired so as to present the user with updatedtailored information and/or suggestions.

[0040] In a more specific embodiment of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 4,where like parts have been given like numbers accompanied by alower-case “a”, the step of generating tailored information andsuggested features is performed by evaluation engine 22 a. The steps of36 a and 38 a are performed by monitoring engine 20 a. One or moremonitoring engines could be used to collect the observed user data at 38a and the user supplied data collected in step 36 a. The step ofpresenting the tailored and re-tailored information to the user isperformed by presentation engine 24 a.

[0041] An exemplary behavior modification program 40, FIG. 5A, includesfive stages 42-50 for modifying behavior. These stages includePre-contemplation Stage 42, Contemplation Stage 44, Preparation Stage46, Action Stage 48, and Maintenance Stage 50. Program 40 a, FIG. 5B,specifically relates to a smoking cessation program. Each of stages 42a-50 a can include one or more modules or programs that progress a usertowards the next stage of the program. Each of the modules in program 40a can be used with only one of stages 42 a-50 a or with several of thestages. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B show a behavior modification programhaving a number of stages, the subject invention is not limited to abehavior modification program or a behavior modification program havingstages.

[0042] Pre-contemplation Stage 42 a includes a Registration Module 52and a Self-Assessment Module 54. Registration Module 52 obtainsinformation about a user's quitting history, age, sex, zip code, typeand quantity of dependency, and other user information that may benecessary for demographics, etc. Self-Assessment Module 54 can includequestionnaires to assist the user in assessing their stage ofmodification such as a “Why do you smoke?” questionnaire and aFagerström questionnaire, which is well known in the art of smokingcessation.

[0043] Contemplation Stage 44 a includes a Medications Module 56, aSocial Support Module 58, a Quit Date Module 60, and a Quitting GuideModule 62. Medications Module 56 evaluates a user's response to adetailed questionnaire and displays a recommendation of medicationtailored to the user's needs.

[0044] Social Support Module 58 allows users 14 to participate in anetwork support community. For example, Social Support Module 58 allowsusers to identify themselves to other users, engage in privatecommunications through e-mail or other means, report problems and abusesto the server, and obtain a sense of history in their interactions withthe server or website. Some of the features that can be implemented withSocial Support Module 58 include discussion forums designated fordiscussion of specific issues associated with the behavior modification,clubs, such as user-initiated discussion forums, a chat feature toprovide live, interactive communication with community members, Q-mailto facilitate private user-to-user communications that do not requireusers to reveal their e-mail addresses, a buddies feature that allowsusers to track whether other users they know are on the network at thesame time, a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in theirdesired behavior, a user directory which allows users to locate othermembers with similar profile characteristics, and/or an anniversariesfeature which lists users who are celebrating particular milestones intheir process of behavior modification.

[0045] Quit Date Module 60 assists a user in setting a particular goaldate for a behavior modification, such as the cessation of smoking. Ifthe behavior modification is cessation of smoking, setting the quit dateis an action that starts a user to plan a program of quitting. For otherbehavior modifications, this module would assist a user in setting othertime-based goals. If a user has not set a quit date, Quit Date Module 60suggests to the user that the user set a quit date. To ensure that theuser supplied quit date is still accurate, Quit Date Module 60 canprompt the user at a re-occurring predetermined time interval, askingwhether the quit date is still accurate.

[0046] Quitting Guide Module 62 displays tailored information thatdepends upon the user supplied data and the user observed data. Thetailored information generally relates to how a user can progresstowards the next stage of behavior modification. One manner in which theinformation from Quitting Guide Module 62 is tailored is that theinformation is divided into sections relating to the different stages42-50 of behavior modification. For example, for a user who is early inthe process of behavior modification and has not set a quit date,Quitting Guide Module 62 can display a chapter heading such as “Makingthe Decision” to the user since the user is at Pre-contemplation Stage42. Once the user sets a quit date and progresses to Contemplation Stage44, Quitting Guide Module 62 will display one or more chapters ofinformation relevant to stage 44. The information that Quitting GuideModule 62 provides to a user can be further tailored in that the actualtext provided by the guide is tailored depending upon the user'scharacteristics. For example, a pregnant woman who reads informationfrom a guide will see additional paragraphs relevant to her pregnancy.Thus, Quitting Guide Module 62 evaluates both the state of behavioralchange of the user and any other data from monitoring engine 20 a togenerate specific advice.

[0047] Preparation Stage 46 a includes Social Support Module 58 andQuitting Guide Module 62. Although modules 58 and 62 are included inboth stages 44 and 46, modules 58 and 62 may provide and obtaindifferent sets of information depending on which stage the user is at.Action Stage 48 a also includes Social Support Module 58 and QuittingGuide Module 62. Maintenance Stage 50 a includes Quitting Guide Module62 which can include information relevant to Maintenance Stage 50 a,such as relapse prevention, and nutrition and weight gain. Behaviormodification program 40 a can also include other modules that are usedwith one or more of stages 42 a-50 a, such as a Quit Tips Module 64, aMy Quit Module 66, and a My Next Steps Module 68.

[0048] Quit Tips Module 64 schedules processes that offer usersadditional recommendations whether or not they access the information onserver 12. At a predetermined frequency, such as daily, the serverdetermines which users have subscribed to a service on the server. Theserver can then evaluate all available data about each of the users andpersonalize a message in the form of an e-mail, such as an HTML e-mail.For example, if the server determines that the user has selected amedication plan, the e-mail will include a section that has specificmedication tips. The information in these e-mails can be based upon theuser's stage of behavior modification in addition to all monitored data.

[0049] My Quit Module 66 serves as a functional wrapper to several ofthe other modules on the server. In the embodiment in which the serverprovides a website to users, My Quit Module 66 is the personal log inand resource center for individuals working to quit smoking. When a userlogs into the web page on the server, My Quit Module 66 evaluates allexisting data that the user has supplied and combines this with datathat has been observed about the user's activity on the website. Thiscombined information is used to target the sub-modules of information onthe web page and to tailor information on the page for the user. My NextSteps Module 68 suggests one or more actions a user should complete nextto progress towards the desired behavior modification. For example, MyNext Steps Module 68 can provide a list of prioritized featuresavailable on the server or website that the user should complete.

[0050] A user's stage of behavior modification will influence whatfeatures or modules are more useful or relevant, and, thus, willinfluence what features or modules My Next Steps Module 68 will suggestto a user. For example, a user in Action Stage 48 will benefit more fromfeatures like buddies and the journal because the user can find otherusers for support and to record process. My Next Steps Module 68 maydirect a user who is in Contemplation Stage 44 to features like forumsand chat. My Next Steps Module 68 takes into account actions that a userhas already taken or completed. For example, a user may have alreadyused the buddies feature, so My Next Steps Module may now recommend thatfeature to the user and may recommend another feature that the user hasnot recently used.

[0051] My Next Steps Module 68 makes suggestions to users in twodifferent manners. First, My Next Steps Module 68 will display all thedifferent features available to the user and graphically display whichfeatures the user has already tried, such as by turning a hypertext linkto a different color. Second, My Next Steps Module 68 will suggest tothe user the top three relevant features that the user should try nextbased upon the data the server has evaluated about the user.

[0052] My Next Steps Module 68 can use an algorithm to determine whatfeatures to suggest to a user. One such algorithm is a search enginethat uses a matrix of available features that have a desirability scoreappropriate for the user's stage of behavior modification. The matrixcan also designate that some features are excluded for some users or forusers in a particular stage of behavior modification. The matrix caninclude the number of times if any a user has used each feature and usethis information to determine what feature(s) should or should not besuggested to a user. As a user continues to use the behaviormodification program 40 a and the server gathers more data about theuser, My Next Steps Module 68 can more accurately target suggestedfeatures to a user based upon the user's background data.

[0053] FIGS. 6-10 show five different modules used with program 40 a andthe data that each module monitors to create tailored information foreach user. Quitting Guide Module 62 a, FIG. 6, obtains user supplieddata 36 b from various modules such as the Quit Date Module or theuser's gender or pregnancy information from the Registration Module.Quitting Guide Module 62 a also obtains observed user data 38 b, such asmonitoring whether or not a user has selected a medication plan or hasrecently verified the accuracy of the user's quit date. Quitting GuideModule 62 a uses the user supplied data 36 b and the observed user data38 b to create tailored information 34 b such as highlighting anappropriate chapter and an informational guide, customizing text, addingmessages relevant to pregnancy if a user is pregnant, and providinginformation about particular medications.

[0054] Quit Tips Module 64 a, FIG. 7, obtains user supplied data 36 c,such as subscription information obtained from the Registration Module,quit date information obtained from the Quit Date Module and medicationchoice obtained from the Medications Module. Quit Tips Module 64 aobtains observed user data 38 c such as data relating to the user's useof prior Quit Tips e-mails, the user's navigation on the server orwebsite, the user's use of tips or quotes, and the observed user'scurrent stage of behavior modification. Quit Tips Module 64 a providestailored information 34 c to the user, such as a tailored medicationplan, statistics, tips, quotes, anniversaries, news, or tailoredinformation from the My Quitting Guide Module.

[0055] My Quit Module 66 a, FIG. 8, obtains user supplied data 36 d,such as user information from the Registration Module, user informationfrom the Self-Assessment Module, and user smoking history obtained froma Q-gadget feature. The Q-gadget feature collects data from the user,such as how frequently the user smokes and the user's cost of smoking,to calculate smoking statistics for the user. After setting a quit date,a user can access the Q-gadget feature and change the user's smokinginformation such as the cost per pack and cigarettes smoked per day. Inresponse to the changed user information, the Q-gadget feature changesthe user's statistics, such as the lifetime saved, money saved, etc.

[0056] My Quit Module 66 a obtains observed user data 38 d, such aswhether or not the user has verified the accuracy of the quit date fromthe Quit Date Module, whether or not the user has selected a medicationplan from the Medications Module, and what features the user has usedand has not used. My Quit Module 66 a uses data 36 d and 38 d to providetailored information 34 d, such as tailored information for the My NextSteps Module or the Quitting Guide Module, a tailored countdown,anniversary or statistics.

[0057] My Next Steps Module 68 a obtains user supplied data 36 e, suchas a quit date from the Quit Date Module, smoking motivations or degreeof addiction from the Self-Assessment Module, or previous quit attemptsfrom the Registration Module. My Next Steps Module 68 a obtains observeduser data 38 e, such as features that the user has not used on theserver, the number of buddies, or the amount of participation in forumsor clubs from the Social Support Module. My Next Steps Module 68 a usesdata 36 e and 38 e to provide tailored information 34 e, such assuggesting the user find buddies on line, participating in forums, orperforming a self-assessment.

[0058] Medications Module 56 a obtains user supplied data 36 f, such asspecific data to tailor a medication recommendation. Medications Module56 a obtains observed user data 38 f, such as by verifying the accuracyof existing data, or observing the user's activity on the server withrespect to medications. Medications Module 56 a, uses the tailoredinformation 34 f to provide suggestions about types of medication andsuggestions for taking a specific medication. It should be apparent fromthe above description for FIGS. 6-10 that any module can obtain usersupplied data and/or observed user data from any of the other modulesdescribed herein and also from the user's activity on the server orwebsite.

[0059] A flowchart, FIG. 11, for using the Medications Module begins instep 70 with allowing the user to access the Medications Module. In step72, the Medications Module determines whether or not the informationrelating to the Fagerström self-assessment test is up-to-date. If thetest information is not up-to-date, in step 74, the Medications Moduleadministers either part of the Fagerström test, or the full test. If atstep 72, the Medications Module determines that the Fagerströminformation is up-to-date, then in step 76, the Medications Moduledetermines whether or not the user has set a quit date for the behaviormodification, such as the cessation of smoking. If the user has not seta quit date, then in step 78 the Quit Date Module assists the user insetting a quit date. The Medications Module may either automaticallysend the user to the Quit Date Module, or may only suggest that the useraccess the feature associated with the Quit Date Module to set a quitdate. If at step 76 the Medications Module determines the user has set aquit date, at step 80, the Medications Module administers a fullmedications questionnaire to determine what is the best medication for auser to progress towards the behavior modification, such as thecessation of smoking.

[0060] Software interface 90, FIG. 12, includes the main content window92, a site specific header 94, site-wide footer 96, right-hand tailoredinformation 98, and left-hand tailored information 100. Main contentwindow 92 displays information depending on what feature or part of theserver site, such as a website, that the user is looking at. Sitespecific header 94 includes typical information that may be included onevery web page and can also include branding information to identify aspecific network or website. Right-hand 98 and Left-hand 100 tailoredinformation includes information that the server has determined isappropriately tailored to each specific user. Site-wide footer 96 caninclude a standard footer on each network or website, such as acopyright notice and/or site-specific information. This tailored andre-tailored information may be different for every user that accessesthe information on the server.

[0061] Software interface 110, FIG. 13, shows how the server can obtainuser supplied information and provide tailored information to the user.To obtain user supplied information, the server can provide registrationquestions to the user. For example, the server can obtain informationabout whether the user is seriously thinking of quitting smoking 112,how soon the user smokes their first cigarette in the morning 114, howmay times the user has quit smoking for at least 24 hours 116, and howmany cigarettes the user smokes on an average day 118. In addition, theserver can ask the user what kind of treatment was used during past quitattempts 120, whether or not the user would prefer to receive e-mail122, the race or ethnic background of the user 124, the highest level ofeducation that the user achieved 126, and the profession or trade of theuser 128.

[0062] Software interface 110 also includes tailored information such asone or more quotes 130 that are tailored with regard to the user's stageof behavior modification. Also, software interface 110 includes tailoredstatistics, such as how much money the user can expect to save if theyquit 132, days added to the user's life for quitting 134, and tips 136,which can be related to the user's stage of behavior modification.

[0063] Software interface 140, FIG. 14, shows how the server can obtainobserved user data. Software interface 140 can provide the user withoptions to use features of the system and track whether the user usesthese features and how much if so. For example, software interface 140includes a link 142 to a Quit Date Module to set a quit date, a link 144to quitting tools to learn about smoking behavior, a link 146 to aquitting guide to obtain information, and a link 148 to a MedicationsModule. Software interface 140 can also include a link 150 to supportforums, a link 152 to a buddy feature, a link 154 to “celebrate ananniversary of a quit date”, a link 156 to sending Q-mail to a friend,and a link 164 to “start a club”.

[0064] Software interface 140 also includes tailored information such asthe feature My Next Steps 162 that provides suggested features from theMy Next Steps Module. My next steps 162 shows the three next suggestedsteps as being Quit Date Wizard, My Profile and forums. The suggestionsprovided by My Next Steps 162 are frequently updated and re-tailored inan iterative process of obtaining and evaluating the observed user dataand user supplied data. Interface 140 can also include information suchas a user profile 164, a calendar 166, a journal 168, and user rewards170.

[0065] Additionally, software interface 140 can include tab 161 for anexpert support page that has information or a link for a user to obtainexpert advice, such as by an expert counselor over the network, aboutthe desired behavior modification. If a user contacts a counselor overthe network, the counselor preferably has access to the user's observeduser data and user supplied data to provide a tailored opinion and/ortailored suggestions to the user with regard to the desired behaviormodification.

[0066] The server can also provide tailored information and/orsuggestions to a user based on user supplied data and observed user datathrough an e-mail 180 to a user. E-mail 180 includes tailoredinformation such as statistics 182, a “Quit Tip” 184, a quote 186related to the behavior modification, news headlines 187, a frequentquestion and answer 188, and promotional information 190 relating to thebehavior modification. The tailored information 182-190 and softwareinterface 180 can include hypertext links to allow the user to obtainfurther information from the server if the user desires furtherinformation. The server can also obtain additional observed user datawhen a user selects one of the hypertext links in e-mail 180 related totailored information 182-190.

[0067] One skilled in the art would recognize that this system can beapplied to additional behavior modifications including, but not limitedto, weight loss, alcohol and drug dependency and substance abuse throughprograms that may be stage-based, as illustrated in the example ofsmoking cessation, or non-stage based, where user-supplied and observeduser data are evaluated along a continuum of change as the userprogresses towards a long term goal such as weight reduction.

[0068] The methods of the present invention can be performed with aserver or computer and computer software installed thereon that hasinstructions to perform the steps of the invention. Alternatively,methods of the present invention can be performed with equipment thathas installed hardware or firmware having instructions to perform thesteps of the invention. Software used with embodiments of the presentinvention can be stored on computer readable medium for storing data,such as, for example, but not limited to, floppy disks, magnetic tape,zip disks, hard drives, CD-ROM, optical disks, RAM, ROM, PROM or acombination of these.

[0069] Although specific features of the invention are shown in somedrawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each featuremay be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance withthe invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with”as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and arenot limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodimentsdisclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the onlypossible embodiments.

[0070] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and arewithin the following claims:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for delivering information over anetwork, the method comprising: a) monitoring an action of a user on thenetwork to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behaviormodification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desiredbehavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data and the usersupplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a usertowards the desired behavior modification; d) presenting the tailoredinformation to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b),c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further including determining if additional data isrequired from the user in order for the user to achieve the desiredbehavior modification.
 3. The method of claim 2 further includingobtaining the additional data from the user.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said user action is selected from the group consisting of: aninteraction with a online questionnaire, an interaction with a module toassist the user in the cessation of smoking, an interaction with amodule to assist the user in selecting a date for the cessation ofsmoking, interacting with a module to provide the user with the abilityto manage personal information, an interaction with a calendar module toprovide the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate tothe quit date and the desired behavior modification, an interaction witha journal module that allows the user to record information related tothe desired behavior modification, an interaction with a MedicationsModule, an interaction with a module relating to frequently askedquestions, and an interaction with an online support community.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein said Medications Module suggests a medicationprofile to the user based upon said user observed data and said usersupplied data.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said action of the userincludes an interaction with an online support community that isselected from the group consisting of: a discussion forum relating todiscussion of specific issues associated with the desired behaviormodification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication withcommunity members via on-line chat, a buddy feature that tracks whetherother known users are on-line at the same time as the user, a list ofusers who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behaviormodification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and fromothers users on the system.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein saiddesired behavior modification is a cessation of smoking.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein said user supplied data is selected from the groupconsisting of: a quit date, an age, a sex, a zip code, a type ofdependency, a quantity of dependent substance used, and questionnaireanswers.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said user observed dataincludes how often the user has interacted with specific features. 10.The method of claim 1 further including providing a link to the user toenable the user to interact with a counselor over a network.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising providing the observed user dataand the user supplied data over the network to the counselor such thatthe counselor can provide tailored information and suggestions to theuser based upon the observed user data and the user supplied data.
 12. Amethod for delivering smoking cessation information over a network, themethod comprising: a) monitoring a first action of a user on the networkto obtain observed user data relating to the cessation of smoking; b)monitoring a second action of the user on the network to obtain usersupplied data relating to the cessation of smoking; c) evaluating theobserved user data and the user supplied data to generate tailoredinformation and provide suggestions for an event, said tailoredinformation and suggestions for progressing a user towards the cessationof smoking; d) presenting the tailored information and suggestions tothe user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) toprovide updated tailored information until the desired behaviormodification is achieved.
 13. A system for delivering healthcare contentto a user over a network, the system comprising: a monitoring engine formonitoring an event of a user on the network to obtain observed userdata relating to a desired behavior modification, and to obtain usersupplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; anevaluation engine responsive to the monitoring engine, said evaluationengine configured to evaluate the observed user data and the usersupplied data to generate tailored information which progresses the usertowards the desired behavior modification.
 14. The system of claim 13further including a Medications Module for suggesting a medicationprofile for the user.
 15. The system of claim 13 further including aQuit Date Module for assisting the user in selecting a quit date for thedesired behavior modification program.
 16. The system of claim 13further including a module for assisting the user in the cessation ofsmoking.
 17. The system of claim 13 further including a Profile Modulefor providing the user with the ability to manage personal information.18. The system of claim 13 further including a Calendar Module forproviding the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relateto the quit date and the desired behavior modification.
 19. The systemof claim 13 further including a Journal Module for the user to recordinformation as they progress toward the desired behavior modification.20. The system of claim 13 further including an On-Line SupportCommunity Module.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein said On-LineSupport Community Module is selected from the group consisting of: aforum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with thedesired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactivecommunication with community members via on-line chat; a buddy featurefor tracking whether other known users are on-line at the same time asthe user; a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the desiredbehavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages toand from other users on the system.
 22. A system of manufacture,comprising: a computer readable medium having computer readable programcode for delivering information over a network, the computer readableprogram code including instructions for causing the computer system to:a) monitor a first action of a user on the network to obtain observeduser data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtain usersupplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluatethe observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailoredinformation for progressing a user towards the desired behaviormodification; d) present the tailored information to the user over thenetwork; and e) repeat steps a), b), c) and d) until the desiredbehavior modification is achieved.
 23. The system of claim 22, whereinthe computer readable program code further comprises instructions forcausing the computer system to determine if additional data is requiredfrom the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behaviormodification.
 24. The system of claim 22 wherein said user observed dataincludes how often the user has interacted with specific features. 25.The system of claim 22 wherein said desired behavior modification is acessation of smoking.